Video camera having video image orientation based on vector information

ABSTRACT

A camera configured to maintain an image in a preferred orientation when the camera is passed from one user to another is provided. The camera detects a spatial orientation of the camera in at least a first position. The camera detects a vector information generated when the camera is passed from one user to another. The camera processes the spatial orientation and vector information so as to retain the image in a preferred orientation.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to a camera configured retain a digital image inan upright manner based upon vector information.

BACKGROUND

Cameras provide an image based upon the orientation of the camera. As anexample, without any correction, a video image will rotate with therotation of a video camera. In some embodiments, the physical dimensionof the camera provides the user with a visual indicator to ensure thevideo image is oriented in a desired orientation. For instance, it iseasy to capture a video image from a video camera that is rectangular ina predetermined orientation as it is easily recognizable when the camerais upright. However, in certain applications, such as an endoscope, itis difficult to determine when the endo scope is upright as the endoscope is generally cylindrical. Further, the orientation of the videoimage may rotate when the endo scope is handed from one person oranother, such as from the nurse to the surgeon.

An example will be described with reference to FIGS. 1A through 2B. FIG.1A depicts a surgical procedure with a nurse 200 and a surgeon 300standing over a patient 400. FIG. 1A shows the nurse 200 holding anendoscope 10. The nurse 200 turns on the endoscope 10 and levels theendoscope 10. As used herein, the term level means rotating the videoimage on the display to a desired orientation. The nurse 200 may rotatethe grip of the endo scope 10 to an upright orientation so that outsideof the surgical site, the video image is aligned with the orientation ofthe physical space. That is, the patient 400 is shown on the videodisplay as being generally centered, as shown in FIG. 1B. Alternatively,an actuator, such as a button, may be pressed to rotate the video image.Once the video image is leveled (as shown in corresponding FIG. 1B), thenurse 200 sets the level by pressing a button.

FIG. 2A is a depiction of FIG. 1A after the nurse 200 has handed theendoscope 10 to the surgeon 300. When the endoscope 10 is handed over,the surgeon 300 may grip the endoscope 10 in a different orientation. Inparticular, the longitudinal length of the endo scope 10 extends alongan axis which is different than that shown in FIG. 1A. Additionally, theendoscope 10 is positioned within the room in a different location alongX, Y and Z axes. It should be appreciated that the endo scope 10 mayhave a common point(s) along any one of the X, Y and Z axis, but atleast one of the points is different. Further, the endoscope 10 may berotated about its longitudinal length. As such, what was level for thenurse 200 may not be level for the surgeon 300, as shown by thecorresponding image depicted in FIG. 2B which shows the patient 400being angled relative to FIG. 1B. This requires the surgeon 300 to levelthe video image again.

Accordingly, it remains desirable to have a video camera configured toautomatically orient the video image to a preferred orientation.

SUMMARY

One aspect of the disclosure provides a camera configured to display animage onto a display unit. The camera includes a camera head unit and anorientation unit. The camera head unit is configured to capture imagedata. The orientation unit is configured to detect a spatial orientationof the camera head unit. The orientation unit is also configured todetect a vector information of the camera head unit. A first input isconfigured to record the spatial information of the video image.

The camera further includes a display control unit. The display controlunit is configured to process the spatial orientation recorded by thefirst input and the vector information so as to retain an orientation ofthe video image as the camera head unit is moved. For example, theorientation of the video image may be retained in an upright position asthe camera is passed from a nurse to a surgeon.

In one aspect, the camera includes an endoscope attached to the camerahead unit, and the display control unit is further configured to processthe image data so as to generate a video image.

In another aspect of the camera, the orientation unit is configured todetect at least one of an acceleration or a gravitational relationshipof the camera head unit. The orientation unit may include anaccelerometer and/or a gyroscope sensor. The orientation unit detects anacceleration and/or a gravitational relationship of the camera andtransmits the detected acceleration and/or gravitational relationship tothe display control unit. The display control unit processes theacceleration and/or gravitational relationship to determine the vectorinformation.

In another aspect of the camera, the camera includes a second input. Thesecond input is configured to manually adjust the orientation of thevideo image so as to define an adjusted video orientation. The displaycontrol unit is further configured to retain the video image in theadjusted video orientation.

Another aspect of the disclosure provides a video imaging system. Thevideo imagining system is configured to display a video image onto adisplay unit. The video imagining system includes a camera head unit andan orientation unit. The camera head unit is configured to capture imagedata and process the image data so as to generate a video signal. Theorientation unit is configured to detect a spatial orientation of thecamera head unit. The orientation unit is also configured to detect avector of the camera head unit. A first input is configured to recordthe spatial information of the video image.

The video imaging system further includes a display control unit. Thedisplay control unit is configured to process the video signal fordisplay on the display unit. The display control unit is furtherconfigured to process the spatial orientation recorded by the firstinput and the vector information so as to retain an orientation of thevideo image as the camera head unit is moved. For example, theorientation of the video image may be retained in an upright position asthe camera is passed from a nurse to a surgeon.

In one aspect of the video imagining system, the orientation unit isconfigured to detect at least one of an acceleration or a gravitationalrelationship of the camera head unit. The orientation unit may includean accelerometer and/or a gyroscope sensor. The orientation unit detectsan acceleration and/or a gravitational relationship of the camera andtransmits the detected acceleration and/or gravitational relationship tothe display control unit. The display control unit processes theacceleration and/or gravitational relationship to determine the vectorinformation.

In another aspect of the video imaging system, the camera includes asecond input. The second input is configured to manually adjust theorientation of the video image so as to define an adjusted videoorientation. The display control unit is further configured to retainthe video image in the adjusted video orientation.

Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a method formaintaining an orientation of a video image on a display unit in anupright position when a video camera is being handed from a first personto a second person. The method includes the step of pointing the videocamera at an end user position and recording a spatial orientation ofthe video camera when the video camera is pointed at the end userposition so as to define a first spatial orientation. The methodincludes the step of pointing the video camera at a surgical site andrecording the spatial orientation of the video camera when the videocamera is pointed at the surgical site so as to define a second spatialorientation. The method includes the step of handing the video camera tothe second person, and determining a vector information of the videocamera as the video camera is handed to the second person. A displaycontrol unit is configured to process the first spatial orientation, thesecond spatial orientation and the vector information so as to maintainthe video image in the upright position.

In one aspect of the method, the method is determined by an accelerationand/or gravitational relationship of the video camera.

In another aspect of the method, the method may further include the stepof holding the video camera in a use position and recording the spatialorientation of the video camera when the video camera is in the useposition so as to define a third spatial orientation. The displaycontrol unit is further configured to process the third spatialorientation so as to maintain the video image in the upright position.

The details of one or more implementations of the disclosure are setforth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Otheraspects, features, and advantages will be apparent from the descriptionand drawings, and from the claims.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a depiction showing a nurse holding an endoscope in a surgeryroom;

FIG. 1B is a depiction of the video image of the endoscope shown in FIG.1A;

FIG. 2A is a depiction showing a surgeon holding the endoscope;

FIG. 2B is a depiction of the video image of the endoscope shown in FIG.2A;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a first embodiment of a camera accordingto the principles of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of an imaging system according to theprinciples of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a depiction of a surgery room showing the spatial orientationof the camera shown in FIG. 4 as the camera is handed from one person toanother;

FIG. 6 is a depiction of the video image taken by the camera shown inFIG. 4; and

FIG. 7 is an illustration depicting a method for maintaining theorientation of a video image in a preferred orientation according to theprinciples of the present disclosure.

Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A camera configured to maintain an image in a preferred orientation whenthe camera is passed from one user to another is provided. The cameradetects a spatial orientation of the camera in at least a firstposition. The camera detects a vector information generated when thecamera is passed from one user to another. The camera processes thespatial orientation and vector information so as to retain the image ina preferred orientation.

With reference now to FIG. 3, an illustrative depiction of a camera 10is provided. The camera 10 includes a camera head unit 12 and a displaycontrol unit 14. The camera head unit 12 includes a camera head 16 and acamera control unit 18. The camera head unit 12 is configured to obtainimage data and process the image data into a video signal, as explainedin greater detail below. The camera head 16 may be coupled to anendoscope 10 a by optics including a plurality of lenses 10 b. Forillustrative purposes, a description of the camera 10 is provided withinthe context of an endoscope 10 a; that is, the camera 10 forms a singlepiece of equipment when attached to the endoscope 10. It should beappreciated that other scopes may be used with the camera head 16,illustratively including an exoscope, borescopes and the like.Alternatively, the camera 10 and the endoscope 10 a may be formed as asingle unit, commonly referred to as a videoscope.

The camera head 16 includes an image sensor 20. The image sensor 20 isfixed within a housing of the camera head 16. The camera head 16 is incommunication with the camera control unit 18 through either a cable ora wireless connection. The camera control unit 18 controls variousprocessing functions of the camera head unit 12 such as a readout of theimage sensor 20, image focus and the like. The image sensor 20 gathersimage data which is processed by the camera control unit 18 to output animage signal. The image signal is processed by the display control unit14 for display onto a display unit 22. The endoscope 10 a and camerahead 16 may form an integral unit (commonly known as a videoscope ordistal imager endoscope) or may be detached from each other as singularfunctional pieces. Regardless of the specific configuration, theprinciples of the present disclosure apply to various examples of videoimaging systems 100.

The image sensor 20 can be a complementary metal oxide semiconductor“CMOS” or a charged coupled device “CCD”. It should be appreciated thatany pixelated image sensor 20 currently known or later developed may bemodified and adopted for use herein.

The camera head 16 further includes an inertial movement detection unit24. The inertial movement detection unit 24 is configured to detect thespatial orientation of the camera head 16 and the endoscope 10 a. Forexample, the inertial movement detection unit 24 may include anaccelerometer 26. Any accelerometer 26 currently known and/or laterdeveloped may be adapted for use herein. The accelerometer 26 may bemounted to the camera head 16 or endoscope 10 a and may detect anacceleration of the camera 10 made in reference to gravity.

In another example of an inertial movement detection unit 24, theinertial movement detection unit 24 includes a gyroscope sensor 28configured to provide a rotational relationship of the camera 10. Inparticular, the rotational relationship includes the orientation andangular velocity of the camera head unit 12. Preferably, the gyroscopesensor 28 is one of a plurality of electric devices currently knownand/or later developed configured to detect orientation and angularvelocity, illustratively including solid state ring lasers, fiber opticgyroscope and/or a quantum gyroscope. The gyroscope sensor 28 may bemounted to the camera head unit 12 and may detect an acceleration of thecamera 10 made in reference to the Earth's gravity. In anotherembodiment, the inertial movement detection unit 24 includes both anaccelerometer 26 and a gyroscope sensor 28.

A first input 30 is configured to record the spatial information of theimage. The first input 30 may be a button or a touch screen mounted toan outer surface of the camera head unit 12. Alternatively, the firstinput 30 may be a microphone and a voice recognition unit configured toreceive an audible command and record the spatial information of theimage upon receipt of the audible command. FIG. 3 depicts that the firstinput 30 may also be disposed on the display unit 22.

The display control unit 14 is electrically coupled to the camera headunit 12. The display control unit 14 is configured to process thespatial orientation recorded by the first input 30 and the vectorinformation so as to retain a preferred orientation of the image as thecamera head unit 12 is moved. An example of a preferred orientation ofthe image may be an image that is retained in an upright position. Assuch, the video image displayed by the display unit 22 remains uprightas the camera 10 is passed from a nurse to a surgeon.

In another aspect of the camera 10, the camera 10 includes a secondinput 32. The second input 32 may be a dial, a button assembly, orimplemented in a touch screen or the like. The second input 32 may bedisposed on a housing of the camera 10, or on the display unit 22. Thesecond input 32 is configured to manually adjust the orientation of theimage which was set to the preferred orientation by the camera 10, so asto define an adjusted image orientation.

The camera 10 may be further configured to retain the image in theadjusted image orientation. For example, the display control unit 14processes the spatial orientation and vector information to orient theimage in the preferred orientation. However, there may be an instancewhere the surgeon prefers an orientation other than the preferredorientation. As such, the second input 32 allows the surgeon to adjustthe preferred orientation to a desired orientation (the adjusted imageorientation) by actuation of the second input 32.

The camera 10 may further include a memory 34 configured to store theadjusted orientation. The control display unit 22 may be furtherconfigured to process the memory 34 so as to automatically adjust theimage to the adjusted image orientation. The memory 34 may be disposedin the display control unit 14 or may be disposed on the camera headunit 12. The second input 32 may be further configured to select theadjusted image orientation. It should be appreciated that thedescription of the camera 10 is provided within the context of a stillimage for illustrative purposes only and that the camera 10 may beconfigured to provide a video image using the same principles describedabove with modifications known to those skilled in the art. For example,the camera control unit 18 processes the image data to generate a videosignal, and the display control unit 14 processes the video signal togenerate a video image onto the display unit 22.

With reference now to FIG. 4, a video imaging system 100 is provided.For illustrative purposes, a description of the video imaging system 100is provided within the context of a camera 10 having an endoscope 10 a.

The camera 10 includes a camera head unit 12, a display control unit 14and a light source 36. The camera head unit 12 includes a camera head 16and a camera control unit 18. The camera head unit 12 is configured toobtain image data and process the image data into a video signal. Thecamera head 16 is coupled to an endoscope 10 a by optics including aplurality of lenses 10 b. However, it should be appreciated that otherscopes may be used, illustratively including an exoscope, borescopes andthe like.

The camera head 16 includes an image sensor 20 and an orientation unit24. The camera head 16 is in communication with the camera control unit18 through either a cable or a wireless connection. The image sensor 20gathers image data which is processed by the camera control unit 18 tooutput an image signal. The image signal is processed by the displaycontrol unit 14 for display onto a display unit 22. The endoscope 10 aand camera head 16 may form an integral unit or may be detached fromeach other as singular functional pieces. Regardless of the specificconfiguration, the principles of the present disclosure apply to variousexamples of cameras 10 having scopes.

The camera control unit 18 controls various processing functions of thecamera head unit 12 to include timing of the light source 36, readout ofthe image sensor 20, focus and the like. The image sensor 20 functionsin coordination with the light source 36 to gather image data which isprocessed by the camera control unit 18 to output a video signal. Thevideo signal is processed by the display control unit 14. The displaycontrol unit 14 processes the video signal for display onto a displayunit 22. The endoscope 10 and camera head 16 may form an integral unitor may be detached from each other as singular functional pieces.Regardless of the specific configuration, the principles of the presentdisclosure apply to various examples of video imaging systems 100.

The orientation unit 24 is configured to detect the spatial orientationof the camera head unit 12 in the same manner as described above withrespect to the endo scope 10. It should be appreciated that the sameaccelerometer 26 and/or gyroscope sensor 28 described above may bemodified for use in the video imaging system 110 described herein.

A first input 30 is configured to record the spatial information of thevideo image. The first input 30 may be a button or a touch screenmounted to an outer surface of the camera head unit 12 and/or thedisplay control unit 14. Alternatively, the first input 30 may be amicrophone and a voice recognition unit configured to receive an audiblecommand and records the spatial information of the video image uponreceipt of the audible command.

With reference again to FIG. 4, the display control unit 14 is aseparate device which is coupled to the camera head unit 12. The displaycontrol unit 14 may be coupled to the camera head unit 12 through awired connection or wirelessly. The display control unit 14 isconfigured to process the spatial orientation recorded by the firstinput 30 and the vector information so as to retain an orientation ofthe video image as the camera head unit 12 is moved. For example, theorientation of the video image may be retained in an upright position asthe endoscope 10 a is passed from a nurse to a surgeon.

In another aspect of the video imaging system 100, the video imagingsystem 100 includes a second input 32. The second input 32 may bedisposed on the camera head unit 12 or the display control unit 14. Inone example, the second input 32 is a dial, a button assembly, orimplemented in a touch screen or the like. The second input 32 isconfigured to manually adjust the orientation of the video image whichwas set to the preferred orientation by the display control unit 14, soas to define an adjusted video orientation. The video imaging system 100may be further configured to retain the video image in the adjustedvideo orientation. For example, the display control unit 14 processesthe spatial information and vector information to orient the image inthe preferred orientation. However, there may be an instance where thesurgeon prefers an orientation other than the preferred orientation. Assuch, the second input 32 allows the surgeon to adjust the preferredorientation to a desired orientation (the adjusted orientation) byactuation of the second input 32.

The video imaging system 100 may be further configured to retain theimage in the adjusted image orientation. For example, the displaycontrol unit 14 processes the spatial information and vector informationto orient the image in the preferred orientation. However, there may bean instance where the surgeon prefers an orientation other than thepreferred orientation. As such, the second input 32 allows the surgeonto adjust the preferred orientation to a desired orientation (theadjusted image orientation) by actuation of the second input 32.

The video imaging system 100 may further include a memory 34 configuredto store the adjusted orientation. The control display unit 22 may befurther configured to process the memory 34 so as to automaticallyadjust the image to the adjusted image orientation. In such an aspect,the second input 32 may be further configured to select the adjustedimage orientation. It should be appreciated that the description of theendoscope 10 a is provided within the context of a still image forillustrative purposes only and that the endoscope 10 a may be configuredto provide a video image using the same principles described above withmodifications known to those skilled in the art. For example, the cameracontrol unit 18 processes the image data to generate a video signal, andthe display control unit 14 processes the video signal to generate avideo image onto the display unit 22.

With reference now to FIGS. 5 and 6, a description of the operation ofthe camera 10 and the video imaging system 100 is provided.

With reference first to FIG. 5, a depiction of the various spatialorientations of the endoscope 10 a is provided. The spatial orientationas used herein is the position of the endoscope 10 a with respect to athree dimensional plane, as indicated by axes “X”, “Y” and “Z”. As shownin FIG. 5, the spatial orientation of the endoscope 10 a changes, asshown in A1-A4, as the endoscope 10is passed from one user to another.

The inertial movement detection unit 24 is further configured to detectvector information of the endoscope 10 a. The vector informationincludes the speed and direction of the camera 10 as the endoscope 10 ais moved from one position to another. Such information may be obtainedby processing the change in the spatial orientation of the endoscope 10a with respect to time. The display control unit 14 is configured toprocess the spatial orientation recorded by the first input 30 and thevector information so as to retain an orientation of the video image asthe endoscope 10 a is moved. For example, the orientation of the videoimage may be retained in an upright position as the endoscope 10 a ispassed from a nurse 200 to a surgeon 300.

FIG. 6 shows the video image of the camera 10 as the endoscope 10 a isbeing handed as shown in FIG. 5. Image B1 is a depiction of the videoimage taken after the video image is leveled by the user. As usedherein, “level” or “leveled” means the orientation of a video image intoa preferred orientation. For instance, if the video image is of thesurgical room, the video image is rotated so as to have a door in anupright position within the display unit 22.

For illustrative purposes, the endoscope 10 a is leveled by a nurse 200and handed over to the surgeon 300. The video image of the camera 10 maybe leveled by either physical manipulation of the camera 10, or bymanipulation of an actuator, such as a button. Once the video image isleveled, the first input 30 is actuated and the spatial orientation ofthe endoscope 10 a is recorded. The leveled video image is the preferredorientation as decided by the nurse 200. At this point, the spatialorientation of the endoscope 10 a is recorded with respect to theorientation of the video image as seen on the display unit 22.

FIG. 5 shows the endoscope 10 a moving from the nurse 200 to the surgeon300. The endoscope 10 a at A2-A4 has a different spatial orientationrelative to the endoscope 10 a at A1. FIG. 6 shows the video image at B2and B3 taken at points A2 and A3 of the endoscope 10 a shown in FIG. 5.Images B2 and B3 are provided to illustrate how the orientation of thevideo image changes with respect to the leveled orientation set by thenurse. Video image B4 shows that the video image is oriented in the sameorientation as video image B1, but taken from a different perspective.

In particular, the display control unit 14 processes the spatialorientation of the endoscope 10 a by mapping out known reference pointstaken along the three dimensional plane depicted in FIG. 5. Forinstance, the center of gravity of the endoscope 10 a may be at aposition “X-a1” along the X axis, a position “Y-b1” along the Y axis anda position “Z-c1” along the Z axis. As the endoscope 10 a is moved asshown in FIG. 5, the spatial orientation of the endoscope 10 a changes,for instance the spatial orientation of the endoscope 10 a at A2 may bea positon “X-a2” along the X axis, a position “Y-b2” along the Y axisand a position “Z-c2” along the Z axis, at A3 may be a position “X-a3”along the X axis, a position “Y-b3” along the Y axis and a position“Z-c3” along the Z axis and at A4 may be a position “X-a4” along the Xaxis, a position “Y-b4” along the Y axis and a position “Z-c4” along theZ axis. The inertial movement detection unit 24 may be furtherconfigured to determine how the longitudinal length of the endoscope 10a also changes by processing the difference in the spatial orientationat points A2-A4.

As the endoscope 10 a is moved, the change in the spatial orientationmay be processed with respect to time to determine vector information,including the speed, direction and/or acceleration of the endoscope 10a. The spatial orientation and vector information, along with thepreferred orientation, may be processed by the display control unit 14to adjust the orientation of video image of the endoscope 10 a at A4 tothe preferred orientation. It should be appreciated that the video imagemay be processed throughout the process of being handed over, thus thevideo images B2 and B3 may be displayed on the display unit 22 in thepreferred orientation (the orientation shown in images B1 and B4 butwith a different perspective), but an actual orientation is shown toprovide the reader with an understanding of the concepts disclosedherein.

Moreover, as shown in FIG. 5, the display control unit 14 processes thespatial orientation of the endoscope 10 a by using a three-dimensionalCartesian coordinate system. Accordingly, as the endoscope 10 a ismoved, its spatial orientation is mapped at predetermined time intervals(i.e., milliseconds, seconds, etc.). For example, the spatialorientation of the endoscope 10, at t=1, may be (0, 4, 4). At t=2, (2,5, 5). At t=3, (4, 5, 6). Lastly, at t=4, (6, 5, 4). These data pointsdepict the movement of endoscope 10 a over a known period of time.Subsequently, the speed, velocity, acceleration, and the like ofendoscope 10 a can be calculated by incorporating the data points mappedwith respect to time with known mathematical vector equations. Ensuing,a change in the orientation of the image produced by the endoscope 10 acan be determined by using the aforementioned calculated results and thedata points collected. The orientation of the image produced by theendoscope 10 a is capable of being adjusted or corrected. For instance,if the image produced by the endoscope 10 a is determined to beincorrectly oriented the image can be adjusted to match a preferredorientation.

As described above, the surgeon 300 may want to further adjust thepreferred orientation generated by the display control unit 14 so as togenerate an adjusted image orientation. This may be done by the surgeon300 actuating the second input 32. The camera control unit 18 mayinclude a memory 34 which stores the adjusted image orientation and mayautomatically adjust the video image to the orientation of the adjustedimage orientation.

With reference now to FIG. 7, a method for maintaining an orientation ofa video image on a display unit 22 is provided. The method isimplemented so as to maintain the video image in an upright positionwhen a video camera 10 is being handed from a first person, such as anurse, to a second person, such as a surgeon. As used with respect tothe method, the term “upright” refers to an orientation as perceived bythe end user, in this case the surgeon. That is, it should beappreciated that what may be upright to the nurse may 200 notnecessarily be upright as seen by the surgeon 300.

The method includes step 200, pointing the video camera 10 at an enduser position and recording a spatial orientation of the video camera 10when the video camera 10 is pointed at the end user position so as todefine a first spatial orientation. The end user position refers to theuser who will perform the surgical procedure, in this case the surgeon.The method includes step 300, pointing the video camera 10 at a surgicalsite and recording the spatial orientation of the video camera 10 whenthe video camera 10 is pointed at the surgical site so as to define asecond spatial orientation. The surgical site refers to the anatomicalbody part for which a surgical procedure is to be performed.

In this method, the nurse is performing steps 200 and 300. The nurse 200may actuate a first input 30 that records the respective spatialorientations. The spatial orientations may be captured by the inertialmovement detection unit 24 described herein. It should be appreciatedthat steps 200 and 300 need not be performed in a predeterminedsequential order.

The method includes step 400, handing the video camera 10 to the secondperson, and determining a vector information of the video camera 10 asthe video camera 10 is handed to the second person (the surgeon 300).The method may be implemented by a display control unit 14 of the videocamera 10. The method includes step 500, processing the first spatialorientation, the second spatial orientation and the vector informationso as to maintain the video image in the upright position. Step 500 maybe performed by the display control unit 14.

The vector information may be obtained by the inertial movementdetection unit 24 as described above. The vector information may beautomatically recorded after a second actuation of the first input 30,or may be initiated by a prompt generated by the display control unit14. For instance, the display control unit 14 may display a prompt whichasks “Are you ready to hand the endoscope 10 to the surgeon?”, whereinthe vector information is recorded when the nurse answers affirmatively.As described above, the vector information includes the speed, directionand/or acceleration.

In another aspect of the method, the method may further step 600,holding the video camera 10 in a use position and recording the spatialorientation of the video camera 10 when the video camera 10 is in theuse position so as to define a third spatial orientation. The displaycontrol unit 14 is further configured to process the third spatialorientation so as to maintain the video image in the upright position.

A number of implementations have been described. Nevertheless, it willbe understood that various modifications may be made without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, otherimplementations are within the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A camera configured to display an image onto adisplay unit, the camera comprising: a camera head unit; an orientationunit disposed on the camera head unit, the orientation unit configuredto detect a spatial orientation of the camera head unit and detect avector information of the camera head unit; a first input configured torecord a spatial information of the image so as to define a preferredorientation of the image; and a display control unit configured toprocess the preferred orientation recorded by the first input and thevector information detected by the orientation unit as the camera headunit is moved from the preferred orientation to a final orientation andprocess the video image so as to retain the image captured by the camerahead unit in the preferred orientation after the camera head unit ismoved to the final orientation.
 2. The camera as set forth in claim 1,further including an endoscope attached to the camera head unit, andwherein the image is a video image.
 3. The camera as set forth in claim2, wherein the orientation unit processes at least one of anacceleration and a gravitational relationship of the camera head unit todetermine the vector information.
 4. The camera as set forth in claim 3,the orientation unit includes an accelerometer.
 5. The camera as setforth in claim 3, wherein orientation unit includes a gyroscope sensor.6. The camera as set forth in claim 3, further including a second inputconfigured to manually adjust the preferred orientation of the videoimage so as to define an adjusted video orientation.
 7. The camera asset forth in claim 6, wherein the display control unit is furtherconfigured retain the video image in the adjusted video orientation. 8.A method for maintaining an orientation of a video image on a displayunit in an upright position, the video image captured by a video camera,the video camera being handed from a first person to a second person,the method comprising the steps of: pointing the video camera at an enduser position and establishing a first spatial orientation of the videoimage; recording the first spatial orientation; pointing the videocamera at a surgical site and establishing a second spatial orientation;recording the second spatial orientation; handing the video camera tothe second person; determining a vector information of the video cameraas the video camera is handed to the second person; and providing adisplay control unit, the display control unit processing the firstspatial orientation, the second spatial orientation and the vectorinformation so as to maintain the video image in the upright orientationrelative to the second person.
 9. The method as set forth in claim 8,wherein the vector information is determined by at least one of anacceleration and a gravitational relationship of the video camera. 10.The method as set forth in claim 9, further including the step ofholding the video camera in a use position and recording a third spatialorientation of the video camera when the video camera is in the useposition, wherein the display control unit further processes the thirdspatial orientation so as to maintain the video image in the uprightposition.
 11. The method as set forth in claim 8, wherein the videocamera is an endoscope.
 12. The method as set forth in claim 11, whereinthe endoscope includes a camera head unit.
 13. The method as set forthin claim 12, wherein the camera head unit includes an orientation unit,the orientation unit configured to detect the spatial orientation. 14.The method as set forth in claim 13, wherein the orientation unitincludes an accelerometer.
 15. The method as set forth in claim 13,wherein the orientation unit includes a gyroscope sensor.
 16. The methodas set forth in claim 11, further including a second input configured tomanually adjust the orientation of the video image so as to define anadjusted video orientation.
 17. A video imaging system configured todisplay a video image onto a display unit, the video imaging systemcomprising: a camera head unit; an orientation unit disposed on thecamera head unit, the orientation unit configured to detect a spatialorientation of the camera head unit and detect a vector information ofthe camera head unit; a first input configured to record a spatialinformation of the video image so as to define a preferred orientationof the video image; and a display control unit configured to process thepreferred orientation recorded by the first input and the vectorinformation detected by the orientation unit as the camera head unit ismoved from the preferred orientation to a final orientation and processthe video image so as to retain the video image captured by the camerahead unit in the preferred orientation after the camera head unit ismoved to the final orientation.
 18. The video imaging system as setforth in claim 17, further including an endoscope attached to the camerahead unit.
 19. The video imaging system as set forth in claim 18,wherein the orientation unit processes at least one of an accelerationand a gravitational relationship of the camera head unit to determinethe vector information.
 20. The video imaging system as set forth inclaim 18, further including a second input configured to manually adjustthe orientation of the video image so as to define an adjusted videoorientation.